Happy Al Ries Day!
On Al's 99th birthday we celebrate his legacy.
Happy Al Ries Day!
On Al Ries Day, year ninety-nine,
We toast the man who drew the line:
Pick one thing and make it stick,
A narrow focus, that’s the trick.
He made it simple, said it clear:
“Own one word the mind can hear,
Be first in something, take a stand,
Don’t try to be a rubber band.”
The world still hasn’t learned his ways,
They line-extend and act amazed
When brands collapse and sales go south
Al told them so, straight from his mouth.
So here’s to Dad, who cut right through,
And showed us all what to do,
On Al Ries Day, we raise our glass
To the master of positioning class.
I miss you, Dad, but here’s what’s true
Your lessons guide all that I do.
Share what Al and his books meant to you!
I watched Al proofreading the typeset galleys of his book in the agency bullpen. I illustrated several of his principles for his slideshows. When Positioning was published, he proudly gave everyone in the agency a hand-signed copy inscribed, “May you practice what we preach.”